Parowan /St. George, UT - Our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and sister, Roena Mitchell Benson passed away on December 7, 2011 from causes incident to age. Roena was 92 years old. She was the third of eight children born to Frank and Pheobe Jane Mitchell. She was born on February 3, 1919 and grew up in Parowan and graduated from Parowan High School. She married Sherwin Benson on November 5, 1937 in Parowan, UT. This marriage was later solemnized in the St. George LDS Temple June 15, 1955. Mother was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served faithfully in the Church as Relief Society President, Stake Primary Blue Bird Leader, and many positions in the MIA. Later in life, she worked for many years as an Extraction worker. She served as a Temple Ordinance Worker in the St. George LDS Temple for 23 years. She and Sherwin moved to Washington, Utah in 1983.

Mother was a hard worker and worked in various jobs around Southern Utah including Mitchell Saw Mill, Bensons Market with her husband, Buy-Rite Grocery, Ace Motel, Woolworths, Safeway, Southern Utah Dairy and First Security Bank. She loved to fish, camp and be in the outdoors with her husband and family. She was a great cook, wonderful homemaker, great mother and was extremely proud of her family. She was known for her "Roe Spread" breakfasts that would last you for the entire day.

Roenas great love was her family. She loved to have her kids and grandkids around her at all times. Her family loved her very much and she will be missed.

Sherwin and Roena are the parents of three children: Emma Jane Taylor (Ross Nelson), Frank (Susan) Benson and Jerrolyn (Ken) Watson. Roena has eleven grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren. Roena is survived by her sisters: Maytha Boardman of Parowan and Betty Lou Schoppmann of Cedar City. She was preceded in death by her husband; her brothers: Max (infant), Carlyle and Kenneth; sisters: Nola May and Mary (infant); and granddaughter, Jennifer Watson.

Special thanks to her daughter, Emma Jane and son-in-law, Ross for the many years of special care while she was at home and in their home.

Funeral services will be held Monday, December 12, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at the Parowan LDS 4 ^th Ward Chapel, 95 South Main Street, Parowan, Utah. Visitations will be held Sunday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Metcalf Mortuary, 288 West St. George Blvd., St. George, Utah and on Monday, prior to services, from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at the Chapel. Interment will follow at the Parowan City Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Metcalf Mortuary, (435) 673-4221.